Sundareswarar Temple, Thiruloki – The Temple
The Temple is east facing with
three tiered Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar. He is
housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Linga facing east. Lord is Swayambhu
Moorthy. There is a sculpture of Lord Sundareswarar along with Akhilandeshwari,
seated on Rishaba (Nandi) can be seen in the sanctum backside of Linga. It is a
beautiful Sculpture, made up of a single stone. This sculpture is called as
Rishabaroodar.
Guru Bhagavan can be seen near
worshipping Rishabaroodar to get rid of his sins. Guru Bhagawan is facing east.
Normally, Guru will be in Abhaya Posture but here he is in Anjali Posture
worshipping Lord Shiva. This is a unique posture nowhere to be seen. Rathi and
Manmathan sculpture is a special feature of this temple. This Sculpture is
about 5 feet height made on soapstone. Both Rathi and Manmathan are flanked by
two ladies in the sculpture. This Idol belongs to Hoysala period.
Mother is called as
Akhilandeshwari. She is housed in a separate shrine in the outer Mandapam of
the sanctum. She is facing east. There is a newly built east facing Chitra
Sabha in the Mandapam. Here Uma Maheswara seated on Rishaba is gracing the
devotees. Also, Guru Bhagawan in Anjali Posture worshipping Lord Shiva can be
seen nearby. There are also shrines of Lord Murugan, Vishwanathar, Bhairava,
Durga and Chandikeswarar Shrines nearby.
Sculptures of Karuvur Devar
can be seen in the pillars of Outside mandapam. There were three sacred tanks
(Theerthams) namely Lakshmi Theertham, Varuna Theertham and Manasa Theertham. Lakshmi
Theertham alone is found today. The
temple tree (Sthala Vriksham) is Sara Kondrai. There is a Kailasanathar Temple
in this village. It is believed that Rajendra Chola I after his Gangetic
expedition built this Temple and done Thirumanjanam with the Ganges water to
Lord Kailasanathar.
